Molly's

About

The most authentic Irish bar in New York City!

Story

FAILTE (pronounced falcha) means “welcome” in Gaelic. Pete and John welcome you to Molly’s, established in 1960 and the most traditional Irish bar in New York, complete with sawdust on the floor and a log-burning fireplace. Renowned for its Shepherd’s Pie, hamburgers, and steaks, all for reasonable prices, Molly’s is a long-time favorite with locals and a destination for newcomers.

MOLLY'S PUB AND RESTAURANT SHEBEEN, which stands at 287 Third Avenue, was first established as a bar in 1895 (name unknown). During Prohibition (1920-1933) it operated as a grocery store, and in the mid 1930s, following the repeal of Prohibition, the retail space once again began to serve alcohol and the building’s three upper floors became a rooming house for transient workers. The bar was constructed from Honduran mahogany which, together with the original wood- burning fireplace, is still in place today.

In 1964 the business was purchased by the Purfield family from Dublin and Galway, designed by Stanley Franks in the Tudor style that exists today, and named Molly Malone’s after a popular Irish folk song. In 1991, Molly Malone’s was taken over by Peter O’Connell from Co Meath, who renamed it Molly’s Shebeen (a shebeen is an illegal drinking establishment). In 1995 Peter was joined by John Ronaghan from Co Monaghan, and together they manage Molly’s, serving traditional Irish and American pub fare to a loyal and much-appreciated Gramercy neighborhood.